Soap Box Time..... :)
For many years now, I have heard several things that have not set well with me regarding family and scripture. And today, I finally had a bit of an epiphany that I thought I'd share with you. Aren't you all so lucky?! lol!!! Read on if you're interested...if not - just skip to my previous post. I wont' be offended! :)
Exodus 20:5 says this:
"....I the Lord your God am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected - even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me."
I have heard this scripture so many times....have heard it and wondered how deep this curse runs. I have some family members who do not believe in God and I have some family members who have at one point believed in God but have now denounced Him...even still, I have some family members who believe in God but do not follow Him. I can honestly say that I have suffered consequences...deep consequences...for this sad fact. I've wondered as to why some families seemingly have it so easy and have thought at times that it most likely has to do with the generations that have come before them....grandparents and great-grandparents who made the choice to believe in God and teach their firm beliefs to their children and their childrens' children.
Well, this morning, I learned of the scripture that follows Exodus 20:5.....Exodus 20:6 says this:
"BUT I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands."
When I discovered this scripture, it was as if a veil lifted....for the first time in years, I was able to see certain scriptures for what they truly are....I was able to accept Jesus's promises and hold tight to them. You see....although some families are wonderful and some families are extremely disfunctional.....although some families believe in God....and some may never....although some families are whole and some families are broken,...our individual identies should not come from our earthly fathers - our individual identies should come from our Heavenly Father!!!
2nd Corinthians 5:17 says this: Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.
Romans 8:3 says this: God did what the law could not do. He sent his own son in a body like the body we sinners have. And in that body, God declared an end to sins control over us by giving His son as sacrifice for our sins.
ISN'T THAT AMAZING?!?! What an AWESOME God we serve! It hit me so hard this morning that it doesn't matter whether I'm a "Davison" or an "Eason"....all that matters is that I am a child of GOD! When I meet Jesus face to face....I will not be judged for my family geneology no matter how good or how bad it was....I will be judged for the choices that I made and the actions that I took. I pray that the legacy that Chad and I leave for our children and our childrens' children will be one that will bless them - but I also pray that our children will learn to be more proud of the God that they serve rather the last name that they carry. I pray that they will want to be true disciples of Christ and that they will "remain faithful to HIS teachings and know the truth" (John 8:31-32).
Having said all that, I do believe there are curses that are passed down...it's in scripture and I would never disagree with scripture. But what I want to encourage you is this: Through Christ, you have the ability to break this curse!!! You may reap the consequences of your great-grandparents, grandparents or parents sin...but that doesn't mean that you have to be defined by it. Know that in Christ, there is freedom from sin!! I will leave you with this scripture:
John 8:34-36 says:
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free."
8 comments:
I enjoyed reading your "soap box" and it brought to light for me things that I struggle with from time to time. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. You are a HUGE spiritual encouragement to me and we don't even see/talk to each other except via blogging! Who knew that the power of faith in God would be effective through blogging.
P-S - what is the update on the overly sensitive neighbor? Ha!Ha!
Yes, I too used to be bothered by this scripture thinking "It isn't my fault if my family or generations before me sinned!" But, I get it as well! I think it's from the old law prior to Jesus that that held true but now uder the new law (Thank you, Jesus!!) we are able to be lifted from this "curse" by accepting Christ into our lives. And, I agree, that we are so blessed with this! I think that prior to baptism you are definitely cursed by your sins as well as the sins of your family, but afterwards you are given new life, as you say. This, of course, doesn't mean that I don't still sin (not on purpose) and I definitely still struggle to understand much of what is written as well as work to have a better relationship with God, but blogging with people like you helps so much! Thanks for the insight!
You are such a wise person my daughter. Thanks for sharing your epiphany! Reading scripture is like reading the mind of God and I'm sure he is smiling down on you, His child, and saying, "Bless you my child-I'm so glad you get it"-pass it on! And that's exactly what you're doing. You're pointing people to God and His word and sharing the Blessings that come from His truth! Love you!
Lindsey, thanks for this post! Those were such good thoughts and an encouragement to me. I'm thankful to have a sister-in-law who is so honestly seeking answers from God like you do!
Hope you guys are having a good week--
Love,
Jenny
You are such a wonderful Spiritual encourager! This was uplifting to read. Thank you for taking the time to write it out and share it with us! I believe that God will give us epiphanies when we're ready to understand them, and it is such a blessing when He does! One thing that comforts me, is knowing that the gospels really have a very simple message. So, when I start to feel confused, I know that I'm over-complicating things (not seeing the forest from the trees) and need to go back to the basics and simple truths. Keep sharing these things with us!! And I'd love to hear an update on what you decided to do with your neighbor situation.
Hey ya'll, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has thought about this scripture. Also, Nikki and Lauren - regarding the neighbor situation... Chad spoke with the Condo Manager who said that she completely trusted our children were making "reasonable noises"...apparently, in our contract it states that as long as the noise is "reasonable", no action can be taken. SO, other then feeling comforted that the condo manager stands behind us,...we are taking advice and killing our neighbors with kindness! I too have relaxed considerably regarding the noise! :) Thanks for asking!
Lindsey, what an encouragement! Thank you for sharing some of what God revealed to you during you time with him. Reading your comment and the scriptures that followed made perfect sense to me. Our God is great! It's so uplifting to know we are not "defined" by our parents/grandparent's, etc. sins or even our own for that matter once we become a child of the Most High! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Hey Linds,
It's so obvious from the clarity of your understanding of God's word that you are walking closely with Him. That intimate walk with the Lord is sure to bless your entire family, as well as those lucky enough to call you their friend, such as myself. Sin has many ugly consequences that affect many lives other than those of the sinner, but you are so right that God sent his son to relieve us of sin, not to pin the sins of previous generations on us. We DO serve an amazing God!
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